Grace Takes Center Stage

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect..."(1 Corinthians 15:10)

So much has happened since I last posted. Computers have crashed, broken, fallen apart. Obviously, we have a new computer and have for some time, but I have delayed posting. I have had to relearn how to download pictures and it became a nemesis of mine. I could post for pages on all the great things God has done since November, but it's better to just jump back in feet first...apologize to the family that has been annoyed by my lack of entries...and start from the recent events in our lives....Here goes:

Two weeks ago, our precious Grace had her first dance recital. The fanfare surrounding the event was tremendous. There was makeup to be applied (by my sweet friend, Joyce), hair to be done, tights, costumes...All for the sweetest little princess this family has ever seen. Grace was excited. We all were. I was a bit anxious to tell you the truth because no one can predict what a two year old is going to do at her first recital...especially a two year old like Grace. Grace was in two numbers. A frilly, fluffy, pink teddy bear tap routine with the 8 other little girls in her tap/ballet class. She was also in the grand finale Daddy/daughter dance with Corey. It was to "YMCA" and they both had some great 70's costumes that kept making us laugh and smile.

The first number, the girly number, went off so well. Grace actually danced and knew the choreography. She looked perfect and adorable. I was happy. Pleased. Proud. I could have gone home at that moment a Mama beaming with "way to go-ness". However, there was more to be had, and we would wait well over an hour to see the grand finale dance. As it neared, Corey took Grace and they got into costume. Now, let me explain something here...almost all the dancers in the whole company are in the Daddy/Daughter dance. There are the older girls that dance first and then they leave the stage to let the little girls (about 30 of them) dance with their daddies. It's so hard to find your duo in that chaotic crazy dancing. I was worried that I wouldn't see Grace at all...let alone see her dancing. Corey said that at every rehearsal, Grace would just stand there watching.

Lights go down...70's music blares...older girls do their thing...up run the littlest dancers and their daddies. Each row of daddies and daughters get a chance to be front and center. They then dance their way to the back so that others can be in the spotlight. It didn't take long for us to spot Grace and Corey. Grace was actually dancing her little heart out...doing some serious moves. I found myself laughing and crying almost instantly. They move to the front and then Corey begins to move to the back...but Grace stays put...and then makes her break from the pack. She ran for center stage and stepped down to a smaller stage out in front and proceeded to dance and shake and boogie and just plain get down to the music! I was standing...screaming...clapping...crying...with a crowd of strangers all applauding Grace who had taken center stage and wowed us all!!! It is one of the happiest moments I have ever experienced...it made the top 5 for sure!

Since that night I have been reminded over and over that God's grace is exactly the same. Just when you think you have it all figured out...the lights go down and the chaos begins. Your nervous...don't know what to expect and then grace, His grace, takes center stage...steps away from everything else life has to offer...and wows us. A little grace can unexpectedly shake things up and turn an ordinary moment into one of the greatest ever. A little grace can dance its way into your life and you will never be the same. A little grace out of nowhere and you find yourself standing and cheering...maybe even crying...thanking the God of the Universe for loving us so much that He gives us grace when we least expect it.